Mine car



Sept 27, 1938,- w. v.'JoHNsoN 2,131,420

MINE CAR Filed Dec. 4, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 h/ar Sept. 27, 1938.' w -VJQHNSON I 2,131,420

' MINE CAR Filed Dec. 4, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY Sept. 27,l 1938.w. v. JoHNsoN MINE CAR Filed Das. 4, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 PatentedSept. 27, 1938 American Car and Foundry Company,A New York, N.l Y., acorporation of New Jersey Application December 4, 1935, serial No.52,768

15 Claims.

This invention relates to mine cars in general and in particular tosteel mine cars of the light weight low bottom type.

Mine cars as previously built have been of two general types, namely,the composite car and the all-metal car, but in each case the car wasmade with heavy members forming an underframe or its equivalent uponwhich the car iioor and car superstructure was supported. This type ofconstruction was costly and wasteful of material and becomesincreasingly objectionable as the length of haul or height of hoistincreases. It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide ametal car which is light and strong and in which the metal isdistributed to the best advantage.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a car in which theusual massive sills are eliminated. n

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improvedmethod of constructing mine cars.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a car in whichthe entire oor and longitudinal strength members are formed from asingle deformed plate.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a car having a newand improved spring end construction.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a low-bottomcar in which the customary massive traction-truck is eliminated.

These and other objects will be apparent to one` skilled in the art froma study of the following description and appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one-half of the car;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the other half of the car and togetherwith Fig. 1 shows the entire car;

Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are plan views of the car shown in Figs. 1 and 2respectively and when taken Atogether show the entire plan of one-halfthe car;

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view with parts of the floor broken away tobetter disclose the construction; 1 Y

Fig. 6 is a plan view partly in section of the improved endconstruction;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line .'I-I of Fig. 6 and shows the bumperconstruction;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of. Fig. 6

and shows the relation of the'draw -memberiand' end member, and

(Cl. 10E-364) unit with the end member at the left side removed. n

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the ca r is shown as of the enddump type, butv this is merely representative since, if a rotary dump A5car is desired, the two ends of the frame will be made alike. The carcomprises underframe unit A, bumper B, coupler'member C, end gate D,side walls E and pedestal forming member F,

The combined floor and base frame or underirame member is formed of asingle sheet of metal which may be pressed but is preferablyso designedas to be shaped in a break, thus eliminating expensive dies. The flatsheet I has portions cut out as at 2 at each end, while one or both endshas an additional portion cut out as at 4 in case the car is to be ofthe end dump type. After cutting out the necessary portions the sheet Iis bent upwardly to provide side portions 6, then outwardly to provideygunwales or side floor por- 20 tions 8 and while in this positioniianges II) are formed, then the sheet is bent as'at I2 to bring theentire unit to the form shown in Fig. 9 wherein the flanges I0 andgunwales 8 are substantially parallel and the outer side portionsV I4are 5y substantially at right angles thereto. It is thus seen that a onepiece underframe member is formed having substantially box section sideportions with two sides of the boX section serving as lading retainingportions. l 30 End sill I6 is formed with web I8 and outwardly directedtop and bottom flanges I9 and 20 respectively and is of the properlength to lit between and be overlapped by the side portions I4. The endsill is also of such thickness as to rest upon the flanges I0 andcentral ioor portion at the bottom and contact with the gunwales at thetop. The end sill web abuts against the side portions 6 to which it iswelded as well as to the outer side portions I4, while the gunwales,central floor and flanges IIJ are securely welded to the end sill anges.

The bumper pockets are formed by welding spaced plates 22, 23, 24 and 25to the web and anges at either end of the end sill and inserting pressedchannels suitably welded in place and having webs 26, lower. flanges 2l,and upper iianges 28. The bumper'B is formed with curved front face 30,lrearwardly directed top and bottom flanges 3l and 32 respectively,between which is inserted spaced plates 33 and 34 suitably welded inplace and so positionedas to form vwith the pressed channels a pocket toreceive bumper springs S. The top and bottom anges of the bumper haveopenings 35 punched therein to receive ilat keys 36 against which theouter end of the springs may bear. These keys pass through elongatedslots 38 in the top and bottom flanges 28 and 27 respectively of thebumper pocket channels and are held in place by means of a curvedportion 31 and cotter pin 39.

The coupler member C is formed of a piece of bar metal 40 ofsubstantially the same length as the end sill and against which itnormally rests, being held there by the rear end of the bumper springs.rIfhe bar is mounted and guided for outward movement in elongated slots42 punched in the various vertical plates forming the bumper and bumperpocket and is provided at its center with a band 44 by which the car maybe coupled to other cars. In order that the bar may be inf serted andremoved readily from the car a slot 45 is punched in at least one of theside portions I4. It is thus seen that an extremely strong yet light endconstruction is formed that provides spring cushioned bumpers and draftgear.V

The end construction at both ends of the frame are exactly similarwhether the car be for a rotary or end dump type and this is done notonly to provide a better car but to permit of more rapid production. Incase the car is to be used for end dumping a portion, as previouslystated, is removed as at 4 and the removed piece of metal is turnedsidewise and pressed to form a channel-shaped reenforcing member 48which is secured to the central iioor portion and lower ilange of theend sill. A deformed Z-shaped delector, having a lower flange 50 securedto the car oor, an inclined web 5| and a top flange 52 secured to thetop flange of the end sill is provided and has its side edges conformingand welded to the car underframe as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 9. Atriangular-shaped pressing 53 may be provided whichis secured to thereenforcing member 48 and deflector plate to support the latter.

Extending between side portions 6 and I4 of the underframe member andsuitably secured thereto and to side floor portion 8 and flange I0, areplates 54 which not only serve to stiffen the construction but alsoretain said side portions, flange and side oor in denite fixed relation.The plates 54 are arranged intermediate the end portions of the underframe, as can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, and as many plates as arerequired may obviously be employed. Above the points of body support,the side portion I4, side floor 8 and ange III are connected the plates56 (see Fig. 5) which serve to retain the portion I4, side floor 8 andflange I0 in fixed relation and also prevent deformation of the unit. Ifit is desired, or necessary, reenforcing bars 58 may be welded to thecentral floor portion in order to prevent sagging thereof, althoughordinarily they will not be needed.

In a rigid mounted car the axle boxes may be attached directly to theflange I9, or if a lower type of car is desired, the axles may extendthrough the portions 6 and I4; however, in the present case, which ispurely illustrative, the car has been mounted on springs. In order toprovide suitable pedestals pressed members 60, 6I and 62 are secured tothe ange I I] at the proper positions and have their lower surfaces in aplane to receive the pedestal tie bar 64. Journal boxes B6, having thecustomary ears and wearing pressed plates and provide a mounting for theaxle 68 and springs 'IIL The wheels W are housed within the semi-boxsurfaces, are engaged between thev section sides of the underframe unitand these sides, being open as they are, serve admirably to protect thebrake rigging which is of conventional form. The brake shoes 12 arecarried by hangers 14 suspended from brackets I6 secured to theunderside of the gunwale or side iioor portion, while the brakeoperating rod 'I8 and portions of the brake operating mechanism 80 arealso carried in the semi-box section underframe sides.

The car is completed by addition of the side walls which overlap and aresecured to the outer side portions and the end walls, one or both ofwhich may be fixed or swinging as desired. In the case of the fixed wallthe side edges and lower edge are flanged to connect to the side wallsand end construction respectively.

It is thus seen that an extremely light yet strong car is providedvwhich is easy to build and lends itself readily to modern shop methodsof construction. It is believed that the advantages of a car constructedaccording tothe present illustrative description is obvious as is alsothe fact that various improvements, rearrangements and modificationsthereof may be made without departing from the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A one piece underframe unit for mine cars comprising a central floorportion, inner side portions extending upwardly from said 'central floorportion, side iioor portions extending outwardly from said inner sideportions, and outer side portions depending from said side floorportions and each having a stiffening ilange at its lower edgesubstantially in alignment with the central floor portion.

2. A one piece underframe unit for mine cars comprising, a central oorportion, inner side portions extending upwardly from said central floorportion, side floor portions extending outwardly from said inner sideportions, and outer side portions depending from said side floorportions and each having an inwardly directed stiffening ange at itslower edge said inner and outer side portions being of substantiallyequal depth.

3. A one piece underframe unitfor mine cars comprising, a central oorportion, inner side portions extending upwardly from said central iioorportion, side oor portions extending outwardly from said inner sideportions, and outer side portions depending from said side oor portionsand each having an inwardly directed stifening flange at its lower edgesubstantially in the plane of the central floor portion.

4. A one piece underfrarne unit for mine cars comprising, a centralfloor portion, inner side portions extending upwardly from said centralfloor portion, side floor portions extending outwardly from said innerside portions, and outer side portions depending from said side floorportions and each having an inwardly directed stiilening flange at itslower edge substantially in the plane of the central floor portion tothereby form substantially box section side members.

5. A one piece Yunderframe unit for mine cars comprising, a centraliioor portion, inner side portions extending upwardly from said centralfloor portion, side iloor portions extending outwardly from said innerside portions, and outer side portions depending from said side oorportions and each having an inwardly directed stiiening iiange at itslower edge, and means for retaining the inner and outer side portionsand side floor portion in fixed position relative to each other,comprising rigid elementslocated Vintermediate the 75":

end portions of the underframe unit and extending between the inner andouter side portions and connected thereto and to said side floorportions.

6. An underframe unit for mine cars comprising, a central floor portion,inner side portions extending upwardly from said central floor portion,side oor portions extending outwardly from said inner side portions, andouter side portions depending from said side oor portions and eachhaving an inwardly directed stiffening ange at its lower edge, means forretaining said side floor portions, inner and outer side portions andanges in definite relation relative to each other comprising rigidelements located intermediate the end portions of the unit, certain ofsaid elements extending between the inner and outer side portions andbeing connected thereto and to the side oor portions and anges and otherof said elements extending between the iianges and side oor portions andbeing connected thereto and to the outer side portions, and end sills towhich the unit is secured at its opposite end portions.

7. A one piece underframe unit for mine cars comprising, a central floorportion, inner side portions extending upwardly from said central floorportion, side iioor portions extending outwardly from said inner sideportions, and outer side portions depending from said side oor portionsand each having an inwardly directed stiffening flange at its loweredge, said inner side portions having a part thereof removed inwardly ofthe ends of the side and central oor portions and adjacent at least oneend to provide a recess for an end sill.

8. A one piece underirame unit for mine cars comprising, a central oorportion, inner side portions extending upwardly from said central oorportion, side floor portions extending outwardly from said inner sideportions, and outer side portions depending from said side floorportions and each having an inwardly directed stiffening flange at itslower edge, said inner side portions having a part thereof removedadjacent each end whereby said inner side portions terminate inwardly ofthe ends of the side and central floor portions to provide recesses forend sills.

9. A one piece underframe unit for mine cars comprising, a central floorportion, inner side portions extending upwardly from said central oorportion, side floor portions extending outwardly from said inner sideportions, and outer side portions depending from said side floorportions and each having an inwardly directed stiffening ange at itslower edge, said inner side portions having a part thereof removedadjacent at least one end whereby said inner side portions terminateinwardly of the ends of the side and central floor portions to provide arecess for an end sill, an end sill in said recess, said end sill beingof channel formation with its anges interposed between and secured tosaid stiiening iianges and side floor portions.

10. A one piece underframe unit for mine cars comprising, a centralfloor portion, inner side portions extending upwardly from said centraliioor portion, side oor portions extending outwardly from said innerside portions, and outer side portions depending from said side floorportions and each having an inwardly directed stiiening flange at itslower edge, said inner side portions having'a part thereof removedadjacent at least one end to provide a recess for an end sill, an endsill in said recess, said end sill being of channel formation with its`flanges interposed between and secured to said stiffening flanges andside floor portions, and an end deflector rising on a slope from saidcentral floor portion to the plane of said side floor portions andsecured to said end sill.

11. In a mine car in combination, an underframe unit comprising, acentral floor portion having inner side portions extending upwardlytherefrom, outer side portions having inturned stiftening iianges attheir lower edges, and side floor portions connecting said inner andouter side portions, said inner side portions having a part thereofremoved adjacent at least one end to provide a recess for an end sill,an end sill in said recess, said end sill being of channel formationwith outwardly directed flanges overlapped by parts of said central andside floor portions and stiffening anges.

12. In a mine car in combination, an underframe unit comprising, acentral floor portion having inner side portions extending upwardlytherefrom, outer side portions having inturned stiffening flanges rattheir lower edges, and side floor portions connecting said inner andouter side portions, bracing means connecting said stiiening anges, sidefloor and outer side portions, and spaced members secured to saidstiffening anges and dening pedestal jaws therebetween tor receive andguide journal boxes.

13. In a mine car in combination, an underframe unit comprising, acentral oor portion having inner side portions extending upwardlytherefrom, outer side-portions having inturned stiiening flanges attheir lower edges, and side floor portions connecting said inner andouter side portions, bracing means connecting said stiffening flanges,side iioor and outer side portions, a pair of spaced pedestal formingmembers secured to said stiffening flange, a journal box guided betweensaid members, and spring means interposed between said journal box andstiffening flange; said bracing means being substantially above saidsprings.

14. A iioor and frame structure for mine cars of the low level typecomprising a single metal plate having a central depressed portionforming a central lading body, longitudinal side portions formingcombined side lading bodies and wheel housings, and longitudinaldownwardly and inwardly extending edge portions forming with the sidelading portions side sills of channel form of a depth substantiallyequal to the depth of the depressed central portion.

15. A one piece underframe unit for mine cars comprising a central iioorportion, inner side portions extending upwardly from said central floorportion, side floor portions extending outwardly `from said inner sideportions, and outer side portions depending from said side `floorportions and each having an inwardly directed stiiening flange at itslower edge whereby the side portions of said unit are substantially bo-xsections, and means for retaining the box-section portions in definitefixed relation comprising rigid elements located intermediate the endportions of the underframe unit and extending between the inner andouter side portions and connected thereto and to said flanges and tosaid side floor portions.

WARREN V. JOHNSON.

